Electric-circuit-controlling means



March 30,1926. 1,579,047

H. F. WOODMAN ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING MEANS Filed Dec. 16, 1 925 Patented Mar. 30, 1926.

UNITED STATES,

PATENT orr cs.

nzaaonn FRALlK WQODMAN, or CROYDON, ENGLAND, assronon r nanonn rm]:

WOODMAN AND CREED & CO.,

LIMITED, 01 CROYDONJSURREY, l v

EITECTRIC-CIRCUIT-CONTROLLING MEAN S.

Application filed December 18, 1925. Serial 80. 75,838.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HAROLD FRANK Wooo MAN, a subject of the King of Great .and Ireland, residing at Croydon, in the county of Surrey, England, have invented Improvements in or Relating to Electric- Circuit-Controlling Means, of which the following is a specification. V

- This invention relates toelectric circuit controlling means suitable for various purposes where constancy of speed is required for eflecting some desired operation, or for producing some desired effect, and specially suitable for the interpolation or resolution of cable code signals or other signals, for example those of multiple unit systems, that l have been caused to lose their individuality and assume the form of block signals, owing, for instance,.-to the capacity of the transmitting cable or line.

Interpolators as at present employed,

depend usually for their constancy of speed upon two uncertain factors. The first, is the bias adjustment of one or more'relays which, in most instances, is not absolutely constant. once upon excellence of contact at relay contact points, forthe frequency of oscillation. If this contactis imperfect, resistance is introduced into the circuit which alters the speed of vibration ofa circuit making and breaking device.

An objectof the present invention is to provide improved electric circuit controlling means devoid ofthe aforesaid uncertainties and whichcan be adjusted to allow of the desired speed of a circuit-making and breaking device being set with. less trouble than has. heretofore been possible.

For this purpose, in electric circuit controlling means according to the invention,

a circuit making and breaking device ar-;

ranged to-open and close an electric circuit 0r' circuits is adapted to be oscillated bythe combined action of two mutually inductive coils one of which" is included in the anode circuitof a thermionic valve d sociated with a second 0011 18 or. 19, also of high impedance, included in-the anode cirprovided with a switch for opening an closing such circuit, and the other ofv which is included in or controlled by the grid circuit of the valve and is adapted to be tuned in order that the said circuit making and breaking device may desired frequency dependent solely upon the characteristics of the associated circuits.

Britain 'of two thermionic valves each of =whichfis other circuits,

The second factor is the dependreduce the possibility of tive pole ofthe filament be oscillated at any Such electric circuit controlling means can be adapted'for various uses. Thus, in the case of an interpolator for the interpolationor resolution of cable code or other signals. the cable or other signals-received are caused to influence a relay tongue or switch that selectivel brings into use, according 'to'the nature 0 the signalreceived, one or other associated with circuits that includethe coils of a corresponding electr c-mechanical device or relay adaptedto transfer to a) second circuit-or circuits, electric signals corresponding in phase relationship to the oscillations which are set 11 with'the aid of the coils aforesaid. or -controlling a single thermionic valve with associated coils and a single electromechanically operated device may be used.

In the accompanying illustrative drawings, Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show diagram- 'matically, three arrangements of electric, circuit controlling means according to the invention suitable for three different uses.

In Fig. 1, which shows an in'terpolator embodying the invention, the positive "ole of a high tension battery'l is connects to the tongue or switch 2 of a receiving relay 3 in the line circuit L. E, the contact pins 4, 4 associated with the said tongue or switch 2, being respectively com -sad to the anodes 5, 6 of'two three-elect rode vacuum I valves. A- high resistance 7 0157 preferably shunts each contact pin 4, 4": and the tongue or switch 2, so as to eliminate sparking and the tongue or switch sticking to the pins. The filament 8 or 9 of each valve is connected directly to the junction of the filament battery 10 with the anode battery'l and also, to. the negabattery 10 through a variable resistance 11 or 12. The grid 13 or 14 of each valve is connected through a variable condenser 15 or 1 5f and'coil 16 or 17, in parallel, to the negative pole of the filamentbattery 10. The said coil 16 or 17 is wound to a high-impedance and is sonscuit, that there is mutual high'inductance' and the voltage on the anode 5 or 6- be-mam- The coils 17 and 19 iconstitute partof a second relay B and influence an armature 21 adapted to vibrate between two contacts 24,- 25 of the repeater circuit connected across the same battery 26. Each armature has or may-have a bias which can be readily adjusted in known way to enable the time relationship between marking and spacing periods to be varied without altering its speed of vibration, which can itself .be determined by adjusting the condenser 15 or 15. Each condenser need only be of-small capacity capable of being varied to suit requirement. The whole arrangement is one whereby, given appropriate values of inductance for the coils 16-18 and 1719,

sufiicient mutual inductance between such coils and appropriate values of filament current and plate voltage, sustained oscillations will be set up in the corresponding tuned circuit whenzthe anode circuit is closed by the tongue or switch 2, the frequency of ntities tained practically constant, each condenser scale can be calibrated for any particular value, and thus the speed of the correspond ing armature can be set without any lengthy speed tests such as are ordinarily necessary.

In operation, as soon as a dot impulse, or

a series of dot impulses, is received, the

tongue or switch 2 of therelay 3 short circuits the resistance 7 or 7 in the, anode circult of one of the. valves, say the resistance 7 in the circuit of the anode '5, the reception of a dash impulse orseries of dash impulses similarly short circuiting the other resistance't'. In either case, the short circuit of a resistance as referred to, results in the setting up in the corresponding tuned circuit of oscillations or vibrations which are repeated by the armature .20 or 21 of the corresponding relay A or B associated therewith. It is obvious then that if the tongue or switch-2 be held against either of the contacts 4, 4- for a time equal, or approximately equal, to a definitenumber of signal time units,- that same number transmitted by the action of the responding armatures20 or 21 to a recorder, or to a local or second line and earth, and a true resolution or interpolation made of the signal whichcaused the tongue or switch 2 to effect the direct closing of ,the corresponding anode circuit for that definite numberflof signal timeYunits It will be understood that a single thermionic valve withlassociatedcoils, tuning conspeed of signals will be denser, batteries, armature and a relay tongue or hand operated or other switch for closing the anode circuit of the valve, all arranged as described can be used for oscillating the armature for opening and closing, at

any desired frequency, an electric circuit for various purposes. I

Fig. 2 shows diagrammatically one arrangement of the kind just referred to, adapted for controlling-the speed of a constant speed motor such as is frequently used in synchronous systems of telegraphy; In

this example, the'anode circuit of the thermionic valve 5, 8, 13 is arranged to be closed through a hand operated switch 27 and the contact 4, and the armature 20 thereby caused to vibrate at a constant speed, in the manner and by the means hereinbefore described, to

open and close, through contacts 22 and controlling the transmission of multiplex or any other synchronous telegraph signals.

Fig. 3 shows, diagrammatically, an example suitable for controlling the transmission of signals in a sonic frequency telegraph system. In this case, the switch member 27 may be opened and closed by a VVheatstone transmitter in known way and in accordance with the signals to be transmitted, and the coils 16 and 18 set to cause the armature 20 to vibrate at a multiple of the signal speed, between contacts 22. and 23 connected to the positive and negative poles respectively of a split battery 32 earthed at E and thereby cause positive and negative signals to be transmitted to a telegraph line L. Thus it will be understood that in circuit controlling apparatus such as hereinbefore described, t is rate of oscillation of current in the anode and grid circuits is independent of the niotion of the moving body, namely the armature, which has no natural frequency, and which can be caused to vibrate at any desired frequency dependent only on the inductance, and mutual inductance of the coils and capacity or capacities with which they are tuned. a

What I claim is 1. Electric circuit controlling-means comprising a thermionic valve having an anode, grid andfilament,an anode circuit including a high tension battery associated with said anode, a switch for closing and opening said circuit, a grid circuit associated with said grid,'a low tens1on battery connected to said filament and to the anodeand grid circuit.

a circuit is closed by switch and an'elec-tric circuit adapted to be controlled by oscillation of said armature.

2. Electric circuit controlling means comprising a thermionic valve having an anode, grid and filament, an anode circuit including a high tension" battery associated with said anode, a switch for closing and opening said circuit, a grid circuit associated with said grid, a low tension battery connected to said filament and to the anode and grid circuits, a

coil arranged in the anode circuit, a second coil arranged in inductive relationship to the first mentioned coil and associated with the grid circuit, means for tuning the associated coils and circuits, an armature adapted to be oscillated by the impulses set up in said coils when the anode circuit is closed by said switch and electric circuits controlled by oscillation of said armature.

3. Electric circuit controlling means comprising a thermionic valve having an anode, grid and filament, an anode circuit including. a high tension'battery associated with said anode, a switch for closing and opening said circuit, a grid circuit associated with said grid, a low tension battery connected to said ,filamentand to the anode and grid circuits, a coil arranged in the anode circuit, a second coil arranged in the grid circuit and in inductive relationship to the first mentioned coil, means for tuning the associated coils and circuits'to any desired frequency, an armature adapted to be oscillated by the m pulses set up in said coils'when the anode tric circuit adapted to be controlled by'oscillation of said armature. I

4. Electric circuit controlling means comprising a. thermionic valve having, an anode, grid and filament, an anode circuit including a high tension battery associated with said anode, a switch for closing and opening said circuit, a grid circuit associated with said grid, a low filament and to the anode and grid circuit, a coil arranged in the anode circuit, a second coil arranged in the grid circuit and in inductive relationship to the first "mentioned coil, means for tuningthe-associated. coils and circuits to any desired freqblency, an armature adapted to be oscillated y the impulses set up in said coils when the anode circuit is closed by said switch and electric circuits adapted to be controlled by oscillation of said armature.

i 5. Electric circuit controlling means comprising a thermionic valve having an anode, rrid and filament, an anode circuit including a high tension battery associated with saidanode, a switchforclosing and opening said adapted to be said switch and an electension battery connected to said circuit, a grid circuit grid, a low tension battery connected to said associated with said filament and to'the anode and grid circuits,al

coil arranged in the anode circuit, a second coil arranged in the grid circuit and in inductive relationship to thefirst mentioned coil, an adjustable condenser in parallel witli' thesecond coil, an armature adapted to be impulses setup in'said oscillated--- bythe coils when the anode c'ircuit is closed by said switch'an'd an electric circuit adapted to be controlled by -oscillation of said armature;-

means ',6 Electric circuit controlling comprising a thermionic valve havlng an anode, grid and filament an anode circuit including a high tension battery associated with said, anode, a switch for closing; and opening sald circuit, a grid c1rcu1t associated with said grid, a low tension battery connected to said filament and to the anode and grid circuits, a coil arranged in the anode circuit, a second coil arranged in the. 7.

grid circuit and in inductive relationship to the first mentioned coil, an adjustable condens'er in parallel with-the second coil, an armature adapted to be oscillated by the impulses set up in said coils when the anode cir'cuitis closed by said switch and electric circuits adapted to "be controlled by oscillation of said armature,

7 Electric circuitcontrolling means comprising a thermionic valve having an anode, rid and filament, an anode circuit includmg a hi h tension battery associated with said ano e, a. switch 01 closingand opening said circuit, a grid circuit associated with-said grid, a low tension battery con- ..nected to said filament and totheanode v and: grid circuits, a coil arranged-in the anode circuit, a second ductive relationship to coil and associated means for tuning the associated coils and the first mentioned circuits, an armature adapted to be oscillated by the impulses set up "in said coils coil arranged in inwith the grid circuit,

'when' the anode circuit is closed by said switch and an electric impulse transmit-ting system controlled-"by. oscillation of, said armature.

. 8. Electric circuit controlling means comprising two thermionic an anode, grid and filament, an anode circuit for each valve, a high tension"' baittery connccted'to each anode circuit, a coil in each anode circuit, a rid circuit for each valve, a low tension attery connected to each grid circuit andto catch filament. a coil associated with each grid circuit, the

two coils a"soc1ated with each valve'being. arranged in inductive relationship to one another and the anode circuits being connected to the filament circuits, 'means 'for' tuning the associated coils and circuits of each valve. a zreceiving relav having its tongue arranged'to close the circuits ,otone.

valves each having or other of the said anode circuits according aspositive or negative signals pass through said relay, an armature associated with each pair of coils and adapted to be oscillated by the impulsestset up therein when the corresponding anode circuit is closed by said relay tongue, and electric circuit connections controlled by the respective 2 valve, a low tension battery connected to -each grid circuit and to each filament, a coil associated with each grid'circuit, the two coils as3ociated with each valve being arranged in inductive relationship to one another and the-anode circuits being connected to the filament circuits, means for tuning the associated coils and circuits of each valve, a contact connected to each anode circuit, a receivingrelay having its tongue arranged to move between the contactsconnected to the two anode circuitsfand close one or other of the said anode circuits accordingly as positive ornegative signals pass through the said relay, a high resistance connected between the tongue and each contact, an armature associated with each pair of coils and adapted to be oscillated by the impulses set up therein when the corresponding anode circuit is closed by 40 said relay tongue and electric circuit connections controlled by the respective armatures whereby electricimpulse's corresponding to the oscillations setup in each pair of coils cambe transmitted to a second circuit, the arrangement torming an. interpolator.

10. Electric circuit controlling means, comprising two thermionic valves, anode, grid and filament circuits and batteries as- .50 sociated'with each valve, a pair of coils associated with the anode and grid circuits respectively of each valve, the two coils corresponding to each valve forming the winding of a relay, a movable armature, as-

sociated with each pair of coils, means for tuning the associated coils and anode and grid circuits of each valve, alreceiving relay the movable tongue of which is adapted to close the anode circuit of one or other of the valves according to the sign of the signals, passing through and circuit connections for a repeater circuit controlled by the respective armature and whereby electric oscillations corresponding to the oscilhticns set up in each pair of the said line relay,

associated with the respectively of each valve,

oscillated by the im grid and filament passing therethrough,

coils and corresponding in sign to the line signals that brought the, airs of coils into action can be transmitte tosaid repeater circuit.

11. Electric circuit controlling means, comprisin two thermionic valves, anode, grid and lament circuits and batteries as,- sociated with each .valve, a pair of coils anode and the two coils corresponding to each valve forming the winding of .a relay, a movable armature associated'with each pair of coils, means for tuning the associated coils and anode and grid circuits of each valve, acontact connected to each anode circuit, a receiving relay having its tongue arranged to move between the contacts connected to the two anode circuits and close one or other of the said anode circuits according as positive or negative signals pass throughthe said relay, a high resistance connected between the tongue and each contact, an armature associated with each pair of coils and adapted to be ulses set up therein when the correspon ing anode circuit is closed by said relay tongue and electric circuit connections controlled by the respective armatures whereby electric impulses corresponding to the oscillations set up in each pair of coils can be transmitted to a second circuit, the arrangement forming an interpolator.

12. Electric circuit controlling means, comprising two thermionic valves, anode,

circuits and batteries ,associated with each valve, a telegraph relay responsive to positive and negative signals the movable tongue of such relay bein adapted to close one or other of the ano e circuits according to the sign of the current passing through said relay,v a coil in the anode circuit of each valve, a coil in the grid circuit of each valve, the two. coils associated with each valve being arranged in inductive relationship to one another, a variable condenser connected in parallel with each grid circuit coil, a movable armature associated with each pair of coils and adapted to be oscillated by the oscillations set up vtherein when the corresponding anode circuit is closedby said relay and two pairs of stationary contacts for connection to a signal repeater circuit, each armature being arranged to oscillate between one of such pairs of contacts; substantially as described for the purpose set forth.

13. Electric circuit controlling means, comprising two thermionic valves, anode, grid and filament circuits and batteries associated with each valve, a contact connected to each anode circuit, a receiving relay having its tongue arranged to move between the contacts connected to the two anode circuits and close one or other of grid circuits 7 the said anode circuits according as positive or negative signalspass through the said re} lay, a high resistance connected between the contact, a coil in the anode circuit of each valve, .a coil in the grid circuit of each valve, the two coils associated with each valve being arranged in inductive relationship to one another, a variable condenser connected vin parallel with each grid circuit coil, a movable armature associated with each pair of coils and adapttongue and each ed to be oscillated by the oscillations set up November, 1925.

therein when the corresponding. aiiode circuit is closed by said relay and two pairs of stationary contacts for connection to a signal repeater circuit, each armature being arranged to oscillate between one of such pairs of contacts, substantially as described for the purpose set forth.

Signed at Croydon, in the county of Surrey, in England, this twenty-eighth day of HAROLD FRANK WOQDMAN. 

